3DMark- Worth It?

Anyone here actually purchase a full version of 3DMark06 or 3DMark Vantage? I'm just wondering if it's worth it. I do a lot of hardware changes including overclocks on my desktops as well as driver experimentation on my laptop. I know that the free version is limited in functionality.

Thoughts?

 

3dmark06 can definitely help with accurately measuring/judging performance. as the trial version can have some problems with the resolution etc, it might be a smart idea to get the full version, if you're really that much into OCing etc.

 

I bought both recently. Why? I can run it offline, without needing a web browser, and I can lower the resolution to run better comparisons to other notebooks and GPUs.

Like johnksss once said, people by $2k notebooks then act like a $20 program is expensive.

 

Don't worry about benchmarks too much. Worry more about how your games are performing in real life. Benchmarks can quite literally, mean nothing.

 

Don't buy 3DMark06 - there is little point in running it at a different resolution other than the 1280x1024 default, unless you have your own reasons.

3DMark Vantage I think only runs once or twice before it makes you buy it.

 

I would not buy 3DMark06, it is pretty old and not so relevant now.

3DMark Vantage is more relevant,maybe buy that if you want. I got a free copy thanks to a tip on this site, I can't find the thread now but I bet the offer is still active.

I agree that it is a lot handier to just do a quick FRAPs benchmark (or proper time-demos) on the games you play to test new drivers or overclocks, rather than wait for a long 3DMark06 test to tell you have a few extra points.

 

3DMark06 is still relevant. 3DMark05 and 3DMark03 are still relevant depending on the hardware and games you're expecting to run.

I bought 3DMark06 a while back since I was toying with many machines and doing overclocking. It allowed me to stress test for hours, change resolutions, only run certain test, especially skipping the CPU portion if you're stress testing just the GPU.

But if you just want to see how your system fares against some mods or o/c you did or with others, the shareware version is fine, and preferred, since always runs same resolution (unless your monitor can't support it).

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I'll stick with the freebie. I already use Prime95 and Cinebench for tests as well.

 

Aw hell, I just bought my first house then, and wifey was wondering why nothing was ever getting done... lol.

 

3dmark is useless. Benchmarking using segments of real games is much better.

 

Your second statement I agree with, but I have a problem with your first. 3dmark isn't useless, it's simply not as useful as benchmarking games. Just because one technique happens to be better than another, doesn't mean its alternative is useless. 3dmark can identify that a 9800M GTX is better than a GMA X3100.

 

I bought 3DMark03, 05, 06, and Vantage (because I'm OCD like that).
Having the alternate resolutions is nice - ditto for offline usage and the lack of nag screens.

 

If you planning on doing a fair bit of benchmarking, then yes, its defiantly worth it

 

Of course with Vantage you don't have much choice if even want to do a FEW benchmarks. The annoyance factor alone...

 

Well if you like to post online and compare scores then it is worth it

 

I was given a full version 3d mark 06 when buying an Asus 7600GS and had only used it one times only, the real and true benchmarking tool is games.

 

It's not worth buying 3DMark06. Just use the free version.

Unfortunately, you need to buy Vantage if you plan on using it more than once or twice. Fortunately, you can get one for free in a contest here: http://portal.xlr8gaming.net/?page=3dmark
I got a key the day after registering for that contest. There was a thread a while back on it where many other members were also successful in getting a free key.

 

I think Vantage is a little steep at $6.95. I can get some pretty awesome games on Steam during one of their sales for about that price and get so much more value. I think $2.95 is max they should charge.

 

I got several versions of the advanced version ($20 one) for free. There are many ways to do it.

 

Don't most high end video card manufacturer's include a license with the card?

 

Yeah, i got one with my evga gtx 260.

 

It's not useless! Very useful in comparing graphics cards! I think the trial is sufficient if you want basic scores, but if you have a higher end card and want to turn up the res or have a lower end card and turn it down full is useful for that among other things.

 

Woohoo! Just won a 3DMark Vantage key from PNY... Thank you PNY!

 

Even with all the kit you have in your sig, $6.95 is "steep"?

 

Value and money you've spent or have is far from the same. If you're a millionaire should you spend $80k on a $50k car? Some people make money by being frugal. That and considering I lost my job a couple months ago, I deserve the right to be cheap!

 

I still use 3dMark06 because Vantage is stupid and requires a 1024 vertical resolution (I have a 1366x768 16:9 screen)